Zambales mayor charged over mining stoppage

MANILA, Philippines -  A municipal mayor in Zambales has been charged with graft for allegedly stopping the operation of two mining firms found to be complying with the environmental safety and standards.

In a case filed recently by the Office of the Ombudsman, Mayor Luisito Marty of Sta. Cruz town was charged with graft and usurpation of authority.

Deputy special prosecutor Manuel Soriano Jr. said Marty acted in bad faith when he refused to grant business permits to Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. (ZDMC) and Zambales Chromite Mining Co. Inc. (ZCMC) in 2011.

Records showed that in 2009, Marty ordered the municipal treasurer not to accept occupation fees from holders of mineral production-sharing agreements (MPSAs) without first securing a mayor’s permit.

The ombudsman said Marty’s order encroached upon the powers of Congress, noting a mayor’s permit is not a requisite in accepting occupation fees, as stated under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Due to Marty’s directive, the municipal treasurer refused to receive occupation fees from the mining firms, which at that time had registered MPSAs with the government.

The ombudsman said Marty’s action caused not only undue injury to ZDMC, but also deprived the provincial and municipal governments of income.

The ombudsman set Marty’s bail at P70,000. 

The ZDMC was among 21 firms ordered closed recently by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for failing the mining audit.

ZCMC was not mentioned in the audit.